In his autobiography 'Sabr', Usman Khawaja has alleged that the entire Australian touring party, including players and support staff, bore collective responsibility
for the 2018 ball-tampering scandal during the South Africa tour. This account contradicts the findings of Cricket Australia's investigation, which held Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft solely accountable. Smith and Warner each received 12-month bans from international and domestic cricket, while Bancroft was suspended for nine months.
Mitchell Starchas now responded to these fresh revelations, maintaining his position from the joint statement released by the Australian bowling quartet in 2021. Speaking on the matter, Starc indicated he has not closely followed Khawaja's claims and that his own recollection of events has not shifted.
Starc acknowledged that differing perspectives exist regarding events from eight years prior. He explained that the Australian team underwent rigorous processes both during the 2018 investigation and in the years that followed. While declining to speak for his fellow bowlers, Starc was clear about his own stance.
"I have not really paid much attention, to be fair. Obviously there is differing opinions of eight years ago. We were heavily drilled through the process at the time and since - and I guess I would not speak on behalf of the bowlers - but where I stand, my opinion has not changed. My recollection has not changed from what we said in 2021," Starc said to Fox Sports.
What was Starc's response to Port Elizabeth allegations?
Khawaja's autobiography claims that Australia also used sandpaper at Port Elizabeth during the second Test of the 2018 series, with every member of the touring party allegedly aware of the plan. The original incident that triggered the investigation occurred on March 24, 2018, during the third day of the third Test at Cape Town, when Cameron Bancroft was televised appearing to rub the ball with a small yellow object.
When specifically asked about the Port Elizabeth allegations, Starc stated that he was hearing of such claims for the first time.
"Yeah, that is the first I was aware of any of that taking place in PE (Port Elizabeth). I will leave that for said authors to explain," Starc said.
Starc reaffirmed the position articulated by the four fast bowlers in their 2021 joint statement, emphasising that the group was not aware of any foreign objects being used to alter the ball during the matches in question.
"As our statement said, we were not aware of things being taken on the field; that is where I will leave it," Starc said.
